THE Islam Defenders’ Associations (PEMBELA) has called to commemorate July 30 as Malay Civilisation Day after expressing disappointment in seeing Muslims celebrating the Bon Odori festival.
News reports indicated that thousands of people had thronged the Japanese cultural festival at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex on Saturday (July 16), despite conservative Islamist groups’ call for Muslims to stay away.
“I was shocked to see 35,000 people celebrating this Bon Odori Festival, who were mostly Malay-Muslims, even though the asatizah (religious teachers) group, including the religious authorities and the mufti forbade it,” said PEMBELA chairperson Aminuddin Yahaya in a statement.
“This is based on the results of their study, which found that there are elements of syirik (idolatry) behind it.”
Aminuddin referred to Perlis mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who earlier proposed that the Bon Odori events in Malaysia be renamed to avoid any confusion with the original festival celebrated in Japan which contained elements of syirik and khurafat (superstition).
Aminuddin also expressed his disbelief at Muslim leaders who celebrate and promote the event ostensibly out of the spirit of culture, unity and harmony, even though the festival does not celebrate the races in Malaysia.
“In any case, various views have been given by many parties. It is up to the people to judge,” he remarked.
According to Aminuddin, the Bon Odori issue was what had prompted him to come up with a plan to organise a day dedicated to Malay civilisation.
“If Bon Odori is considered an ‘important’ cultural festival even though it has nothing to do with us, then I think there is no reason not to celebrate Malay Civilisation Day for the first time,” he commented.
“I have discussed with some friends that it would also be good if Malay-Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could organise a day to celebrate Malay civilisation.
“Friends from silat (martial arts) organisations and arts and culture associations are also excited to succeed together.”
The PEMBELA chairperson is also planning to make Malay Civilisation Day an annual event with exhibitions, sales parades, performances and shows suitable for the whole family. – July 20, 2022
